I have never seen jonquils as lovely as this year. We have several patches in our yard that bloomed early. And they are still blooming. One group (that sometimes blooms and sometimes doesn’t) outdid themselves this spring. The flowers are a rich buttercup yellow with bright orange centers. They are simply glorious as they stretch their fragrant blossoms forward to their source, the sun.
But are these lovely flowers really jonquils or are they daffodils or maybe buttercups? A little clarification.
All these flowers belong to a genus called Narcissus, native to Spain and Portugal. Daffodil is the official common name for any of the plants that fall into the genus Narcissus. So, if any plant is considered a Narcissus, it is also considered a daffodil as well.
Jonquil refers to a specific type of daffodil known as Narcissus jonquils, although the name is often used as a more general term for daffodils in certain parts of the country. They are most easily identified by their dark green, tube-shaped leaves as compared to other types of daffodils which have flat leaves. Jonquils also tend to have clusters of several flowers, instead of just one bloom, along with a strong scent.
Buttercup is an incorrect term when referring to daffodils or Narcissus bulbs of any kind. It is a totally different flower, yet some call jonquils or daffodils buttercups.
Regardless of their names, jonquils this year are no less than spectacular.